Case Studies

Challenges NCH Healthcare System, which operates the two largest hospitals in Collier County, Florida, is growing. Recently expanding its emergency room services in North Naples, and set to open a freestanding emergency department in the fall, the non-profit organization enjoys a high profile in the Naples community. "We have done a lot of work in the community to raise the image and the awareness of NCH," says Michele Thoman, System Chief Nursing Officer of NCH Healthcare System and COO of NCH North Naples Hospital. "And so for us the final piece was making sure our employees matched that image." NCH had a uniform policy in place, but it simply required that staff wear scrubs; there were no guidelines regarding color or style. According to Thoman, administrators received many letters from patients and families complaining about their inability to identify staff in the room and commenting on the lack of professionalism in their appearance. "We made the decision that we would move ahead and standardize uniforms across the board for all NCH employees," Thoman explains. "We were looking for something that would enhance the look of professionalism for our employees." But a uniform program for an organization of its size would be no simple task. Employees were used to patronizing local NCH Healthcare System selects SmartScrubs to power large uniform program in final piece of branding initiative "We have done a lot of work in the community to raise the image and the awareness of NCH and so for us the final piece was making sure our employees matched that image." Michele Thoman System Chief Nursing Officer, NCH Healthcare System COO, NCH North Naples Hospital NCH Healthcare System Case Study Challenges • Raise awareness of NCH in the community • Improve professional image of staff • Find a vendor capable of handling a program of NCH's magnitude • Enable employees to continue to order on their own within the program's guidelines • Increase patient satisfaction Solutions • Initiate a color-coded uniform program with custom logo embroidery • Employ SmartScrubs to manage a custom uniform allotment program and on-site fitting • Use SmartScrubs' bundling and multi-location delivery options to ship uniforms directly to department directors • Enable employees to order additional uniforms on the SmartScrubs custom uniform portal and Fitting Edge app, with payroll deduction as a payment option • Distribute "Get to Know Your Caregiver" brochures to explain color coding to patients and visitors Results • 3,389 employees in 27 roles wear color-coded uniforms with NCH logo embroidery • 1,972 employees participate in on-site fitting and ordering process over 5 days • 1,314 bundles sent in 277 boxes to 40 department directors with detailed delivery reports for efficient distribution • Staff enjoy independent ordering ability within approved color, logo and style assortment • Staff express pride in wearing branded uniforms • Patient letters reflect increased satisfaction with staff appearance and ability for caregiver identification • Administrators and board members praise uniform program

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